We often get asked if we do Aurora trips and the short answer is no. That is mostly because of where our geography is in relation to areas with high Auroral activity. With that said, Southern Ontario has had strong geomagnetic storms lately so we will be running trips when the conditions are right. For that to happen, we'll be looking for a KP index of 7 or higher and the sky conditions to be conducive to a good evening of viewing.

For this trip, we will go to a location based on it's night sky, it's Aurora forecast and what generally makes sense. With that said, it's worth noting that conditions are never guaranteed and forecasts are just that, an idea.

Now for the fun stuff, if we do get a strong Geomagnetic storm, we understand many do not have the luxury of being to get out the city. We will provide transportation, location and some evening commentary.

This shuttle will take place in our 15 passenger customized transit. Onboard we have a TV, basic WIFI, Games Console, Karaoke and more! However there is not a washroom. We will make a washroom break on the way there and on the way back.

This shuttle departs from Toronto Yorkdale TTC Passenger pick up

What's included

Our driver will supply basic commentary to make the road trip all the more memorable and we'll share a host of related viewing on the TV for the trip. Please note, this trip may be running overnight so do check the time duration for the trip before signing up. Some may get back after the last TTC

☑️ Return transportation

Sample itinerary

N.B. Below is the sample itinerary for our Aurora trips.

Departure from Toronto - Yorkdale TTC Passenger Pick up: Times vary by season.

Pit stop for a washroom

Free time at destination for staring at the sky

Program Outline: This program begins in the Lecture Room for an informative presentation with the Astronomers. You will experience skylab to study the constellations. You will experience demonstrations and viewing with outdoor telescope viewing with portable telescopes. All demonstrations and viewing are weather dependent.

Weather Policy: This program runs rain or shine. Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory visits include outdoor and/or Observatory Activities, we ask you dress for the elements. All programs are adapted for all weather and environmental conditions.

Should the conditions be good, we will have access to the largest optical telescope in Canada which is 74 inches. The David Dunlap observatory is a piece of local Canadian history. The program is often run by knowledgeable staff from the Royal Astronomical society of Canada.

This shuttle will take place in our 15 passenger customized transit. Onboard we have a TV, basic WIFI, Games Console, Karaoke and more! However there is not a washroom. The drive to Richmond Hill is short at approximately 30 minutes long. There are washrooms there.

This shuttle departs from Toronto Yorkdale TTC Passenger pick up

What's included

☑️ Return transportation

☑️ Astronomy presentation and gudiance from members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

☑️ Telescope viewing (Weather permitting)

Sample itineraries

Departure from Toronto - Yorkdale TTC passenger pick up: 08.00 pm

Visit Richmond Hill David Dunlap observatory - Enjoy a 2 hour astronomy tour with telescopes.

Return to Toronto ~ midnight

Nature is amazing! But one thing we've learned is that we have no control over it. That is why we do not have set dates for this trip. If looking at the stars is something that interests you then we suggest putting your name on the waitlist (Click the Blue button above which says 'Notify me when available'. We will monitor the conditions and will notify the mailing list if we're good to go. That means clear skies, low light pollution (not always) and no conflict on our calendar. These shuttles depart during the week and usually return late. We can not guarantee that we will be back before the last TTC train (although, we will try). We also can not guarantee that the night sky will cooperate. In fact, we're willing to bet the night sky will not cooperate at least once this season. Each trip will have a different opportunity, be that full moon with more light (less stars), milky way ops in the summer or darker nights in the Fall etc.

It’s not easy these days to find a clear night sky that isn’t washed out by light pollution. But just 37 kilometers north of Napanee, the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area is here to change that. This spot is the southernmost place in Ontario where you can enjoy a night sky that’s almost identical to what people saw over 100 years ago—no distractions, just stars.

With plenty of parking and a big concrete pad, it’s a fantastic place for stargazing or astrophotography.

This shuttle will take place in our 15 passenger customized transit. Onboard we have a TV, basic WIFI, Games Console, Karaoke and more! However there is not a washroom. We will make a washroom break on the way there and on the way back.

This shuttle departs from York Mills TTC Station (Gas station opposite). An email will be sent to those who join with clear instructions.

What's included

Stargazing can be out of this world. Literally. On this short trip we'll take you from the City lights to an area 2.5 hours east of the City to what is a dark sky viewing area. What does that mean? Well, it means less light pollution. So your chances of seeing a shooting star are increased. We can't promise that you'll see shooting stars, literally, we can't promise the stars! But we can take you there and back in a safe environment and if luck is on our side, we'll have a wonderful view. If it's not, well it's a good way to make a new friend who has similar interests.

Our driver will supply basic commentary to make the road trip all the more memorable and we'll share a host of related viewing on the TV for the trip.

☑️ Return transportation

Sample itineraries

N.B. Below is the sample itinerary for Lennox & Addington

Departure from Toronto - York Mills TTC station (Gas station opposite): Times vary by season.

Pit Stop:

Make a stop for food/washroom on the way at Trenton South Onroute.

Arrival at Lennox & Addington:

Arrive at Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area for stargazing.

Return to Toronto:

Depart from Lennox & Addington dark Sky Viewing area

Arrival back in Toronto: 01.15 am ~

Nature is amazing! But one thing we've learned is that we have no control over it. That is why we do not have set dates for this trip. If looking at the stars is something that interests you then we suggest putting your name on the waitlist (Click the Blue button above which says 'Notify me when available'. We will monitor the conditions and will notify the mailing list if we're good to go. That means clear skies, low light pollution (not always) and no conflict on our calendar. These shuttles depart during the week and usually return late. We can not guarantee that we will be back before the last TTC train (although, we will try). We also can not guarantee that the night sky will cooperate. In fact, we're willing to bet the night sky will not cooperate at least once this season. Each trip will have a different opportunity, be that full moon with more light (less stars), milky way ops in the summer or darker nights in the Fall etc.

This shuttle will take place in our 15 passenger customized transit. Onboard we have a TV, basic WIFI, Games Console, Karaoke and more! However there is not a washroom. We will make a washroom break on the way there and on the way back. This shuttle departs from Toronto Yorkdale TTC Passenger pick up

What's included

Stargazing can be out of this world. Literally. On this short trip we'll take you from the City lights to an area that was the worlds first dark sky preserve. What does that mean? Well, it means less light pollution. So your chances of seeing a shooting star are increased. We can't promise that you'll see shooting stars, literally, we can't promise the stars! But we can take you there and back in a safe environment and if luck is on our side, we'll have a wonderful view. If it's not, well it's a good way to make a new friend who has similar interests. We'll be taking up a telescope, torches (try to leave them off) and hot drinks. It'll be a rather chill evening.

Our driver will supply basic commentary to make the road trip all the more memorable and we'll share a host of related viewing on the TV for the trip.
☑️ Return transportation

Sample itineraries

N.B. Below is the sample itinerary for Torrance Barrens regular.

Departure from Toronto - Yorkdale TTC Passenger Pick up: Times vary by season. Pit Stop: Make a stop for food/washroom on the way. Arrival at Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve: Arrive at Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve for stargazing. Enjoy free time for stargazing with telescopes, torches. Return to Toronto: Depart from Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve. Arrival back in Toronto: 01.00 am

Calling all those who have a keen interest in the Stars and Astro Photography. For this trip, we'll be heading north to Muskoka, we may visit Torrance Barrens, we may visit another location that has suitable night skies. Once there, you'll be guided by a local astronomer who will tell you stories about the night sky, from the Greeks to the Romans, you'll learn about constellations, planets, and stars, as well as the basics of astrophotography.

We'll transport you there and back in our comfortable 15 passenger high roof transit. Onboard we have a TV, basic WIFI, and more! Expect space themed movies. Thematic programming and a trip that has received more stars than the night sky.

The guides we'll meet were recently part of the Muskoka tourism initiative for Home of the Stars. We'll only run this trip on evenings where we think the sky conditions will be conducive to a better evening of star gazing. To sign up for this trip, select the notify me when available button and leave your details. Once we have enough interest and the stars align, we'll be in touch in due course.

This shuttle departs from Toronto Yorkdale TTC Passenger pick up

What's included

Stargazing can be out of this world. Literally. On this short trip we'll take you from the City lights to an area that has less light pollution so your chances of seeing a shooting star are increased. We can't promise that you'll see shooting stars, literally, we can't promise the stars! But we can take you there and back in a safe environment and if luck is on our side, we'll have a wonderful view. If it's not, well it's a good way to make a new friend who has similar interests, learn about astro photography and more! We'll be taking up a telescope, torches (try to leave them off) and hot drinks. It'll be a rather chill evening.

Our driver will supply basic commentary to make the road trip all the more memorable and we'll share a host of related viewing on the TV for the trip.

☑️ Return transportation

☑️ Guided introduction to identifying key constellations, planets, and stars, as well as the basics of astrophotography.

☑️ Hot drinks

☑️ Telescope

Sample itineraries

Departure from Toronto - Yorkdale TTC Passenger Pick up: Times vary by season. 

Pit Stop:

Make a stop for food/washroom on the way.

Arrival in Muskoka

Enjoy a guided  introduction to identifying key constellations, planets, and stars, as well as the basics of astrophotography.

Return to Toronto:

Arrival back in Toronto: 01.00 am ~

You've probably heard of Torrance Barrens by now. It was the worlds first Dark Sky Preserve. It is nestled in Muskoka 2 hours north of Toronto. On this trip we'll head to the Muskoka Beer Spa which is in the small town of Torrance. Here you will have ample time to sit in the saunas and nurture yourself into November.

Muskoka Beer Spa sits on Clear lake, which is what the brewery is named after - Clear Lake Brewery. Sampling, saunas, sayonara to summer.

For those that want to move those feet, we will offer an optional hike of Hardy Lake Provincial Park (We won't do the full 8km, just the B trail which is shorter).

After the brewery, we'll head to Torrance Barrens to spend 30 minutes staring at the sky. We can't promise the stars on this trip, but if we get a clear night, the stars will be a bonus! The Spa and Hike will be a great day out. The stars will be the cherry on the cake if we get a clear night.

This shuttle will take place in our 15 passenger customized transit. Onboard we have a TV, basic WIFI, Games Console, Karaoke and more! However there is not a washroom. We will make a washroom break on the way there and on the way back.

This shuttle departs from Toronto Yorkdale TTC Passenger pick up

What's included

☑️ Return transportation

☑️ Entry to the Muskoka Beer Spa included ($49 entry fee)

☑️ Optional hike in Hardy Lake Provincial Park

☑️ Weather permitting visit to Torrance Barrens

☑️ Towel and locker service

Please bring your bathing suit, towel and clothes for the saunas. Please note, food is not included and outside food can not be brought into the beer spa. 

Sample itinerary

Departure from Toronto - Yorkdale TTC Passenger Pick up - 09:00 am

Entry to Muskoka Beer spa, enjoy the saunas and the cold lake

Optional hike in Hardy Lake Provincial Park

Visit to Torrance Barrens (sky conditions will determine our duration of visit and enjoyment - this will go ahead no matter the sky conditions)

Arrive back in Toronto - 20:30 pm